I need info on best brand hardware compatibles

Hello Everyone,
I need some info on best brand hardware compatibles for building a generic computer.

1. Sound Card
2. Video Card
3. Hard Drive
4. IDE Motherboard That trucks.
5. Size of Intel CPU's now in GHz.
6. RAM Chips
7. Power Unit
8. Dial Up Modem
And anything else I've left out.

What stores would I find all of this stuff in. Or Where to order it from.
I don't know where to start looking & I don't buy off of the Internet. Yep, I'm asking for a lot, I know, but surely you guys can help me. I have faith in all of you.

I am wanting a PC that is a basic fast rig. Lots of CPU, lots of Sound capability, lots of Video capability, & lots of RAM, but "not" an Athalon, because Athalon's run hotter than Intel's & I can't install Air Conditioning just for keeping a PC comfy. I don't want a brand name computer. It has to be generic all the way. All the hardware's have to be compatible with each other & I have no idea what's compatible with what. I want to build a Specs list for having a computer built, or possibly my husband building it for me. He has basically built his own anyway. When I gave him my old one three years ago, everything major began to die on it, piece by piece, until all had died, except for the motherboard & he replaced them all, so he "sort of" knows the in's & outs on putting one together.

If no one can tell me all of this stuff, can someone give me a clue as to where to go find the information I need. Also, will such a rig work with Windows 98, or would it be too fast for 98 to handle.

Also where would I get the stuff for a burn in & info on how to do it. A store name please. We have Office Depot, Best Buy, Staples, & Home Depot close enough to drive to, or would I get that at a regular computer store.

Thanks for any information you can give me.

 

Deloris - You might first go to an online "configurator" like here to figger out what you want then check out your local Best Buy , or whatever, for the parts and pieces you have selected.

 

Deloris

Food for thought

If you are going to build your own I would stay away ( way away ) from STORES such as Best Buy etc. Some of their personal do not know a Video card from a Motherboard. And you are usually at their mercy if something goes wrong.

If you have one available I would go to a Computer store ( non-dept store ) and tell them what you want. You are much more apt to get parts THAT ARE COMPATABLE. Which is VERY important today. Especially MB and CPU.

I have looked on line for things and one place would list a CPU and MB as being compatable and another place said thet were not.

Buying online can get costly if something goes wrong. Especially if you are not really sure of what is compatable with what. You may pay a few $$ more locally but if you get good solid compatability you will actuall save in the long run.

Also a couple of places to NOT CUT corners ( $$$) and that is the case and Power Supply. I would not settle for anything less than a 300 watt ATX/P4 AMD certified Power supply.

I would not get a case without room for at least two other cooling fans besides the one on the PS and the CPU.

Cutting corners on the two above items can cost you dearly later on. I have been there and done that and will do my best to not do again.

As to the Modem. My choice woild NOT BE an Internal.

BillyBob

 

Hi,
Thanks guys. I will write down what I find out & be sure I get compatibles.

There is a man who has a little computer shop in a town not too far from us that I believe would help me get the parts I need at his cost or just a tad above. I just now remembered him. But I don't know if he would be willing to help me configure the set up & then just help me get the parts, without being allowed to build it so he can make more money. . I want to try to put the list together myself first, before I go to try to get the parts & hopefully find someone that is honest enough to tell me if something won't work with the rest or not.

I figured the most important components to start with would be the MB, Power supply & CPU. Once those were configured, the rest should not be so hard to arrange to go with them. Am I correct, or am I just dreaming?

I will check out the online configurator, and see what it says, but I have no MB name & Part # & CPU size to put into it yet. Thank you bobmc32 for the link.

Billybob, thank you so much for the tip on the Power Supply & Modem. I have read that external modems are better. I am grateful to you, but I still need to know what motherboard (best brand & part #) would probably be up to the task of what I want. Maybe the configurerator link will give me some clues. I will let you know what I find out.

MB & the power supply & CPU are definitely where one wants to start the process of building.

Thanks to both of you very much.

 

BTW, I had heard those things about Best Buy. Knowledgeable personell cost more money to hire. That's the reason they have dumbo's working there. But I'm a dumbo when it comes to parts for putting one together, so I can't really criticize, can I?
Places like them, being nation-wide, they're going to make money anyway, so why bother to pay out more to personell that knows what they're talking about? Right? At least, that's probably the way stores like that think of it, much to the victimization of innocents who need the help!

 

I can not and will not even begin to say which MB is best. There are many good ones out there.

I have ( or have had ) Cyrix, Intell and AMD CPUs. The Cyrix was just liminted as to what new software it would run. The Intel was a slight speed problem. But the AMD K62 500 and this new Duron 1.2 are NO PROBLEMO.

I have ( or have had ) Asus, Soyo and now a MSI MB and have not had a problem with any of them.

As to the sound card I myself would stick with SoundBlaster ( Creative ). Not a SoundBlaster compatable

Video cards are a different story. They can be a system ( MB/CPU & OS ) controlled item. Not all video cards will behave well in all systems ( including the OS ). This I believe is more of a driver problem than hardware.

Here again a local person may be more benificial.

BillyBob

 

Thank you BillyBob.

Overall cost is of course a consideration as well, but at least now I have a place to start my specs list.

I appreciate all the help.

Does the AMD K62 500 have a heating problem that would require an Air Conditioned atmosphere to operate in? I can't have Air Conditioning on account of health problems. It makes me get sicker with my already problematic respiratory problems, because of the transitions between AC & outdoor heat. So I live without it to stay as well as I can.

The Duron 1.2, I assume is the HD? I hope! I know, I am looking stupid here, aren't I? Well, guess what! When it comes to hardware components, I am!

I know my way around my OS pretty good, but when it comes to the physical innards of one, I am a shorted out light bulb.

Thanks again.

 

The AMD K62 500 and the AMD Duron 1.2 are both are both CPUs.

Yes, both of them do run quite warm. But with the proper cooling I see no problem.

This is why I suggest a good Power supply and room for extra fans.

If you can not use AC you need extra fans in the case more than ever.

BTW. The CPU is not the only item that has a heating problem. The newer high powered Video cards have needed to be kept cool also. Some of them may eve require there own cooling fans.

Another reason for getting the best Case and PS you can. The bigger the case the less heat problems. Also a larger case helps to keep the HD cables etc. from getting bunched up too and may prevent a good airflow.

I understand $$ restrictions. But again I would not apply those restrictions to the case and PS.

Too small case may prevent proper cooling.

An Inadequit PS can raise all sorts of nasty little problems.

Also too small a case or PS can prevent any further expansion.

It is my opinion that a little less expensive MB and CPU in a good case will do the job longer ( and more reliable ) than a more expensive unit in a cheap case.

BTW. That is experience speaking again.

BillyBob

 

Deloris - A good place to browse and perhaps become more comfortable with/about hardware is here . Chock fulla info about all kinds of the things you will be dealing with.

 

Thanks so much guys.

I haven't had a chance to visit those links yet, bobmc32, but I will & soon.

The reason is that, I've been busy replenishing copies of my personal CD's of me. Getting ready for the week end. Believe it or not, I can sing. Some people say that's what I do best. Now, I am not sure if that is a compliment, or a put down. Singing is more laborious than it used to be, due to my respiratory problems, but it helps to exercise my lungs & keep me going, so the effort is worth it.

BillyBob, I was planning to add extra fans on account of the AC issue, but I am glad you mentioned it. I understand about the large case, & it is quite reasonable to make sure it is big enough. Someone else's experience does speak volumes. Thanks for all the other info too. I shall put it all to good use, hopefully.

Maybe I can get a list together before long to present to vendors for parts prices & also get some honest input on my choices.

Thanks again so much. I really appreciate you all's patience with me. You've been great. I will try to stop bothering you now.

 

Hello Deloris,
My latest experiences have taught me that if you buy brand named equipment (Asus, Creative Labs, ....ect...ect) that you should not have compatibility problems.

The biggest problems I have run across was when I have tried to "Marry" some older pieces with newest, latest, greatest pieces.
If you are purchasing all new pieces, the chances of running into compatibility problems are slight. And, if you do, these companies (big name) should be able to resolve the issues you have.

I do have to stress buying from a recognizable name brand manufacturer.
NOT necessarily because they build better parts.........but for the support which may/will be necessary in the future.
FUTURE being the big key here.

For instance, pertaining to video cards, just about everybody makes a GEForce (of whatever version) video card. BUT, will they be around to back it up (And actually come through for you???) with support when/if you need it. That's where the "Trusted" names come into play. I should make it clear, I'm not recommending any particular company.

Put a lot of thought into what YOU ~actually~ want this computer to do for YOU!! Whether it is gaming or video editing ect. Do your homework first. There are differences within them that might make your new buy SOOOO much better for you. Do not rely on others to "Tell" you what is compatible......BECAUSE.......In all likelyhood, they will not know.....for sure that is.

Another few to think about, how important is very high end sound to you? Or, a video card with video in and video out options built in? Or USB 2.0.....or...ATA 133 ...or....a Dual Bios???

And most important, to me that is, future upgradability....
Probably the biggest of thing so that you can keep your investment current as time and technology moves on.

See what I'm getting at?

Only YOU can decide these things.

Go check out your store and post back what you intend to maybe buy, then the people in here can add some opinions.

Oh, and my biggest thing, please don't go cheap on the motherboard. This is the most important thing to me.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, and all the best of luck!!!!

Dale

 

The point here is do your homework. And, when you think you have it all figured out, do some more.